This Olympics is the first that I am watching not as an athlete but a spectator. I have been able to relax and enjoy the show. I was wondering what sort of feelings I would have watching the Games without having to compete. People have been asking me whether I want to be there competing or do I think I would be better than the other girls but interestingly enough I don't have the desire to go back and compete. I am feeling joy that I was able to be part of the Olympics and looking at the performances from the last two days makes me feel very fortunate that I was able to compete at this level and achieve quite a good result.

I have to comment about the Opening Ceremony. There was a massive build-up and I think it met all expectations. It was a mind-blowing show! I stayed up all night because I didn't want to miss a thing! It was a great insight into the history and culture of China. The performances by those involved were amazing and were a display of great physical and technical ability. There were some moments that will stay in my memory for a long time to come. The only complaint I have was with the commercial breaks! You are watching the Opening Ceremony and then it goes to an ad break and takes you back to reality. I didn't get to go to the Opening Ceremony in Sydney because I was trying to conserve every bit of energy so missed the Opening but went to the Closing. I think the athletes that can afford to go should because it is a worthwhile experience and is really part of the whole Olympic experience.

I also thought the Australian uniform was very unexpected. I think we all expected them to be in the green and gold. I am used to competing in green and gold and all my uniforms for the Olympics and World Champs have had these colours. But this time the team marched in gorgeous blue and silver and I reckon the uniform looked absolutely amazing. Country uniforms have always been colours that are similar to the national flag and now the Australians uniform matches the flag.

And now to the competition...in the first days of the Olympics we have seen great performances by Australians, especially in the pool. It is great to see them winning gold and breaking world records. It makes me very proud to be an Australian. I am, though, really looking forward to the track and field starting on the 15^th. I can't wait for them to come out and prove that track and field in Australia is strong. 

I have also been interested in the gymnastics too. It is always a feat of power and flexibility. I had a bit of an introduction into gymnastics with the pole vault and know how difficult it is to put together the routines and make things look so easy and effortless. I also watched the basketball last night between China and the US. You are watching these superstars on the US team that play in the NBA and they are playing against China who have I think three athletes from the NBA and the others from national teams and they still put up a fight which was fantastic.

It is only day number three and I already have so many great memories from the Opening Ceremony to the first gold medal that was won by a Chinese woman in the 48kg weightlifting.

And what about the venues? The Water Cube is a piece of art. I was watching the soccer and they are playing at the Shanghai Stadium and I realised that is where I competed once in a Grand Prix event. And then there is the athletes village. You don't expect to stay in a five star hotel, you just want to be comfortable and looked after as you spend a lot of time there preparing and then recovering. A lot of people probably don't realise what it is like to accommodate so many people - athletes, coaches and team members. Just to give you an idea, in Sydney, the dining hall where we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner accommodated 5,000 people which shows how massive it is!

So I wish all the Australian athletes good luck. We are all behind you and I am sure everyone will be glued to the TV barracking for the Aussies. I jope they all do really well and make us all proud.

T